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NHL free agency begins on July 1. This year teams have been given the right to speak with potential unrestricted free agents beginning June 25.
Here’s a list of the top 10 players expected to be available:

Credit:

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

10. Dan Boyle, 37 - D, San Jose Sharks

$6.66 million cap hit in 2013-14. One of the oldest players on the free-agent market, Boyle is still an offensive threat from the blue line and would be a nice complement to a team in need of experience on the blue line.

Credit:

Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

9. Brooks Orpik, 33 - D, Pittsburgh Penguins

$3.75 million cap hit in 2013-14. He’s got a lot of mileage on him but Orpik is still one of the NHL’s toughest defensemen to play against, especially in a playoff series. If a team can sign him for two or three years at under $4 million per season he could be a valuable addition.

Credit:

Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

8. Marian Gaborik, 32 - RW, Los Angeles Kings

7.5 million cap hit in 2013-14. The talented right wing saw his stock skyrocket in the playoffs, where he recorded 21 points in 26 games with the Kings.

Credit:

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

7. Ryan Miller, 33 - G, St. Louis Blues

$6.25 million cap hit in 2013-14. After being eliminated in the first round as a new member of the Blues, it will be interesting to see what Miller will receive on the open market. The Capitals have been rumored as a team with interest.

Credit:

Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

6. Mikhail Grabovski, 30 - C, Washington Capitals

$3 million cap hit in 2013-14. A solid two-way centerman, Grabovski missed 24 games due to injury this season but still would have had trouble hitting the 20-goal mark. He’s seeking $5 million but may need to settle for less.

Credit:

Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

5. Matt Niskanen, 27 - D, Pittsburgh Penguins

$2.3 million cap hit in 2013-14. Niskanen is expected to hit a home run this summer after finishing 12th among NHL defensemen in scoring (46 points) and first in plus-minus (plus-33).

Credit:

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

4. Jarome Iginla, 36 - RW, Boston Bruins

$1.8 million cap hit in 2013-14. Iginla had a remarkably productive season in Boston with 30 goals and 31 assists and added five goals and two assists in 12 playoff games. He’s a nice pickup for a team that thinks it’s a player away.

Credit:

Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

3. Thomas Vanek, 30 - LW, Montreal Canadiens

$7.14 million cap hit in 2013-14. A natural goal scorer, Vanek managed 27 goals for the Sabres, Islanders and Canadiens this season but hasn’t cracked 40 goals since 2008-09.

Credit:

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

2. Ryan Callahan, 29 - RW, Tampa Bay Lightning

$4.275 cap hit in 2013-14. A hard-hitting, shot-blocking forward with captain-like qualities, Callahan is the perfect fit for a team looking for some two-way grit.

Credit:

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

1. Paul Stastny, 28 - C, Colorado Avalanche

$6.6 million cap hit in 2013-14. The son of former NHL star Peter Stastny, Paul Stastny is in his prime and coming off a strong season in which he recorded 25 goals and 35 assists in 71 games for the Avalanche.